Review: Blood Cousins (2012)

Cast: Joel Settles, Regan Arevalos, Larry Garza
Director: Regan Arevalos, Jess Castro, Larry Garza
Country: USA
Genre: Comedy | Drama | Horror
Official Website: Here

Editor’s Notes: Blood Cousins screened at the 2013 South Texas Underground Film Festival. For more information visit comediaagogo.libsyn.com.

Blood Cousins is a first feature from comedy collective Comedia A Go-Go. Billed as a potent mix of horror, drama and comedy it is an interesting film that warrants attention and while not wholly successful, bodes well for future projects.

Billed as a potent mix of horror, drama and comedy it is an interesting film that warrants attention and while not wholly successful, bodes well for future projects.

The basic story focuses on four cousins who in reality are as close as brothers, and like brothers they bicker, fight and tease each other relentlessly while retaining genuine affection. On the anniversary of their revered grandmother’s death they decide, at the insistence of appointed leader Ray (Regan Arevalos) to take a roadtrip to visit the grave and pay their respects. Ray’s brother Stevie (Joel Settles) is particularly reluctant to go for reasons not yet disclosed, Von (Larry Garza) shares his lack of enthusiasm but fourth cousin Eric (Jess Castro) thinks the whole thing might be a laugh. It’s only when they arrive at their relatives home to spend the night that the family’s dark secrets begin to be revealed and unpleasant truths come back to haunt the group.

This really is a film of two parts, and could conceivably be two different ideas put together. There is a supernatural story of witchcraft and curses at the heart of Blood Cousins, and very much at the beginning and the end of the film, which doesn’t fit entirely successfully with the central road trip. For the most part the characters are a little irritating although this is perhaps due to the possible ad-libbed nature of the cousin’s conversations being based in reality; who doesn’t wind up their siblings? There is a little tedium to some of their conversations and you find yourself wondering where the film is actually going. Taking this into account and about an hour in, it’s possible to become a little bored with events. And then the tone changes dramatically.

The final act of Blood Cousins is one of the most unexpected and visceral finales to a film seen in recent times.

The final act of Blood Cousins is one of the most unexpected and visceral finales to a film seen in recent times. Revealing too much would be criminal but it is as unflinching and dark as the previous two acts were light and trivial. Writers and directors Regan Arevalo, Jess Castro, and Larry Garza have created something genuinely surprising, original and horrifying that brutally takes your breath away in its intensity and will linger in your mind for some time.

Needless to say the performances are strong without fail. There is awkwardness at times in some of the dialogue, perhaps the occasional miss-step, but this adds to the feeling of realism in the conversations and actions. The characters are not universally likeable and there is no shirking in showing their weaknesses and failings, but they are believable in their crassness and at times limited personalities.

Blood Cousins is by no means a perfect film. There are long periods that many audiences may find languorous and even dull, and perhaps this pacing is intentional, but the pay off received for the investment is undoubtedly worth it and will leave you slightly breathless and awestruck. This is a film well worth seeking out and I am excited and intrigued to see what the filmmakers do next.

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John Townsend

Staff Film Critic

My interest in film originated from the excited anticipation of waiting to find out which new film would be shown on television as the Christmas Day premiere, which probably says more about my age than I would like! I am a lover of all things cinematic with a particular interest in horror and began writing and reviewing as an excuse to view and discuss as many films as possible, with as many people as possible.

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